Following the horrors of the First World War and the aftermath, Field Marshal Douglas Haig set up the Haig Fund in 1921 to raise funds for ex service personnel and their families.
The Haig Fund morphed into the British Legion which after 50 years gained Royal status and is a UK registered charity providing financial, social and emotional support to veterans, their families and those currently serving.
The RBL is best known as guardians of ‘Remembrance’ and the annual Poppy Appeal, and as someone succinctly said “It matters not how you remember; it matters that you remember!.”
Branch #3474 was formed in Nice, South of France at Holy Trinity Church, 11 rue de la Buffa in 1928 and had its first parade and wreath laying Commemoration on 11th November at the ‘Monument aux Morts’ (War Memorial) on the Cap de Nice opposite the port.
It was subsequently registered as an Association the following year at the Préfecture.
Almost 100 years on, aided by our fundraising, we continue to remember and commemorate at civic events from Marseille to Bordighera, in Italy. These events allow us to remember the sacrifices made by servicemen from the UK and across the Commonwealth that protected the freedoms we enjoy.
The Nice Monaco Branch was renamed in 2025 #3473 Provence ～ Monaco to reflect our current reach and continued commitment.